ONE DAY WHEN HIS TALKING WAS INTERRUPTED BY A PRIEST FROM ANOTHER SECT.

THIS SECT BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF MIRACLES,

AND THOUGHT THAT SALVATION CAME FROM REPEATING HOLY WORDS.

BANKEI STOPPED TALKING,

AND ASKED THE PRIEST WHAT HE WANTED TO SAY.

THE PRIEST BOASTED THAT THE FOUNDER OF HIS RELIGION COULD STAND ON ONE BANK OF THE RIVER WITH A BRUSH IN HIS HAND AND WRITE A HOLY NAME ON A PIECE OF PAPER HELD BY AN ASSISTANT ON THE OPPOSITE BANK OF THE RIVER.

THE PRIEST ASKED,

"WHAT MIRACLES CAN YOU DO?"

BANKEI REPLIED,

"ONLY ONE.

WHEN I AM HUNGRY I EAT,

AND WHEN I AM THIRSTY I DRINK."

The only miracle,

the impossible miracle, is to be just ordinary.

The longing of the mind is to be extraordinary.

The ego thirsts and hungers for the recognition that you are somebody.